Prosperous Marriage: Married to My Brother-in-law
Chapter 67 Glades Horne’s Worries (5)_1

Chapter 67: Chapter 67 Glades Horne’s Worries (5)_1

The dazzle of lights and revelry in the pub had no effect on him. He drank incessantly, one glass after another.

An empty bottle now sat on the table.

He felt stifled, extremely stifled, and restless, as if trying to stop something, yet unable to intervene. It was this feeling of wanting to act but being powerless, like thousands of ants gnawing at his heart, that made it difficult for him to breathe. Alcohol was his only respite from this suffocation.

But with each glass of amber liquor he consumed, his mind seemed to sharpen. Images of his elder brother Glades Horne, robust and exuding an aura of nobility, would flash through his mind, followed by the lofty and genteel figure of Julia Bluen. Sometimes, the two people who occupied his thoughts would stand together in his mind.

As the younger brother, it was his duty to assist in preparing for the wedding. But he didn’t want to touch anything related to his brother’s wedding because it would cause him pain.

He was jealous of Julia Bluen because she was to become his sister-in-law and, barring any unforeseen circumstances, she would be able to stand by the side of his most admirable brother forever. He was also jealous of his brother for being able to have Julia.

Indeed, he was a person with distorted emotions, admiring his dearly beloved brother while harboring unusual feelings for Julia Bluen, whom he had watched grow up.

Now, the two most important people in his heart were about to unite, and he started to resent himself. Why hadn’t he tried to pursue Julia in those past days? Why had he always stood in the shadows, clandestinely watching her? They had known each other for twenty-six years, yet she didn’t even know his phone number, whereas he had hers memorized by heart.

My vision follows your dance.

My words linger on the tip of my tongue.

How should I introduce myself clearly?

A man amongst men.

I want to be your big tree...

The phone, with "Secret Love Letter" set as its ringtone, suddenly rang, but James Horne didn’t answer the call, allowing the song to play from start to finish, again and again, until it stopped.

A few minutes later, the phone rang once more.

He leaned back in his chair, holding a glass in his right hand and the bottle in his left, slowly refilling his now-empty glass while the phone continued to ring obstinately, as if he wouldn’t answer it no matter what.

His handsome face, closely resembling Glades Horne’s, was slightly flushed from the alcohol. He wasn’t drunk yet, but he looked very morose, as if burdened by dark, ominous clouds, much like someone owed him money and hadn’t repaid it. Those eyes, always deep, icy, and tinged with indifference or mockery, now seemed even more inscrutable, emitting a ghostly glow.

His phone rang three times, yet he picked up none of them, not even glancing once.

At that moment, he wouldn’t care to flee even if the sky were falling.

The melodious music ended, replaced by the pounding beats of a DJ’s dance track. Those in a bad mood, seeking to vent by dancing, once more slipped onto the dance floor. With the pulsating music, they twisted and turned wildly, feeling it was a good way to release their inner dissatisfaction, as dancing would often make them feel better.

A man in a black short-sleeved shirt and dark trousers walked over to the corner and sat down beside James Horne. He was one of the pub managers and had met James a few times, so the two were acquaintances. Seeing James sitting with a sullen expression and continuously drowning his sorrows in alcohol, he came over, hoping to show some concern.

"Mr. Horne, what’s the matter?" the man reached out, patted James Horne’s shoulder, and asked with a smile. The man was about thirty-six or thirty-seven years old. His somewhat scholarly face, however, bore the marks of hardship. It was clear he had encountered society’s trials early on and had achieved his current success through much sweat and toil.

Shrugging off the man’s hand, James Horne replied coldly, "Halton Hillraise, leave me alone. I just want some peace and quiet."

The man named Halton Hillraise chuckled, patted his shoulder again, and then stood up. He didn’t ask anything more before turning to leave, leaving James Horne alone with his drinks.

The night grew deeper. Through the complexities of human emotions, the night slowly passed, ushering in a new day. It welcomed the light, with the sincere hope that the bright sun would bring new hope to all things on earth.

「Ten o’clock in the morning.」

「Valence Group.」

"Ruiz, arrange for me to have lunch with Jonathan Allen at the Emperor Hotel, at eleven thirty," Glades Horne ordered Hansen Ruiz in a deep voice. He was sitting casually on the armrest of a sofa, phone in hand.

"All right, I will arrange it immediately," the warm, steady voice of Hansen Ruiz came from the other end of the phone.

"How would you like to be my best man?" Glades Horne asked Hansen Ruiz coolly after he had finished giving his orders.

He actually hadn’t chosen a best man yet. Now that Julia had found her maid of honor, and since he had told her he had a best man too, if Ruiz didn’t show up at the wedding in two days, Julia would realize he had been telling a kind lie, and might feel a bit of remorse. He didn’t want her to feel remorse. Since the wedding was proceeding through normal procedures, a best man was indispensable.

"Okay!" Hansen Ruiz agreed, not inquiring why Glades Horne was asking him to be the best man so late in the game.

"Mmh," Glades Horne responded indifferently and then hung up the call.

KNOCK KNOCK. A knock came from the door.

Glades Horne then took a seat on the sofa and replied gravely, "Come in."

Secretary Yang pushed the door open, walked over to him, and said, "CEO, Mr. Powell from Cosmos Group is requesting to see you. He’s already been here several times today. Do you want to see him?"

It was only ten in the morning, and he had come several times; Dio Powell was clearly very anxious.

"I don’t have time," Glades Horne replied coldly, reaching under the coffee table to pick up a publication, which he began to flip through casually.

"I’ll inform the staff to turn him away," Secretary Yang, having received the answer she was looking for, turned to leave. As she inadvertently glanced at the snack counter, her steps faltered. Glades Horne’s oppressive voice struck her ears. "Anything else?"

Startled, she quickly replied that there was nothing and hurriedly left.

After Secretary Yang left the office, Glades Horne seemed to remember something. Picking up his phone again, he dialed Hansen Ruiz’s number. As Ruiz answered, Glades Horne adjusted his tie. The blue tie he was wearing today was one that Julia herself had tied for him. "Ruiz, has the company hired Rachel Bailey yet? Right, Rachel will be Julia’s maid of honor. Look up her address for me and send her a few bridesmaid dresses."